NFL Picks Week 17: Teams That Can Be Playoff Spoilers This Weekend

Most of the NFL playoff participants are set, but there is still one invitation left to be extended and seeding to determine. For the rest of the NFL, the motivation is to crush the dreams of those still fighting.

The Baltimore Ravens are one of the lucky few. Not only are they playing to lock up the AFC North, they have a chance to send a division rival home for the year.

Conversely, the Miami Dolphins' season has gone up in smoke. That doesn't mean they can take some pride in closing the small window of opportunity left for the New York Jets. 

The following slides provide a few picks that will leave a sour taste in the mouth of playoff aspirants. 

Baltimore Ravens Will Momentarily Disqualify Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals can assure themselves a playoff spot with a win over the Baltimore Ravens. Luckily, there are other scenarios that will get them in because this will not occur.

The Ravens need this win to keep the Pittsburgh Steelers at bay. A loss here would drop them to the wild card, meaning they would have to win on the road in the playoffs as opposed to receiving a bye and a home game.

Cincinnati has the defense to stop—or at least slow down—Ray Rice, but the injury to Leon Hall will be too much. 

The Ravens defense creates problems for veteran quarterbacks, and will do so for rookie Andy Dalton.

Miami Dolphins Will Be Terrible Hosts to New York Jets

The New York Jets are a mess. This pick has as much to do with football analysis as it does with feel.

The Miami Dolphins have one of the best rushing defenses in football, a fact that was hidden by their atrocious start. New York will not be able to utilize its favored ground-and-pound approach.

It's a troubling proposition to put the ball in Mark Sanchez's hands right now. Yet, the Jets will have to do just that.

Sanchez, like the rest of the team, is lacking confidence. So much so that Rex Ryan is now calling his team the underdog.

Players are not dumb. They can sense their coach has lost control, and their play will be affected accordingly.

Houston Texans Need a Good Showing Against Tennessee Titans

The Houston Texans appear to have nothing to gain by playing hard in this game. However, if they want to capitalize on their first trip to the postseason, they need to build some momentum.

Star wide receiver Andre Johnson returns after a six-game absence to help out struggling quarterback T.J. Yates. Even if the team decides to be careful with Arian Foster, Ben Tate has more than proven he could be a starting running back.

The Tennessee Titans have been a model of inconsistency this season. Their mediocre offense will have problems with Houston's defense, leaving it to Cortland Finnegan to stop Johnson if the Titans are going to win.

As both of those players have proved, there is some bad blood between these two teams.

The Texans will not lie down for Tennessee.

San Diego Chargers Will Ruin Oakland Raiders' Chances

The San Diego Chargers are becoming accustomed to playing the role of playoff spoiler. In what is likely head coach Norv Turner's swan song, the Chargers will be revved up to play one last time for their leader.

Philip Rivers has his pride and will end the season on a better note than he has enjoyed most of this year. 

Carson Palmer will continue his erratic play against a top-10 passing defense. The absence of running back Darren McFadden will continue to put all the emphasis on Michael Bush, a capable back who lacks McFadden's explosiveness.

Lastly, it's the AFC West. That's enough of a reason to predict the teams will continue to play inconsistent football.

Dallas Cowboys Will Take NFC East over New York Giants

The NFC East comes down to the Dallas Cowboys at the New York Giants. The winner gets a home playoff game against a beatable opponent, while the loser will only have itself to blame.

Tony Romo will be playing despite hurting his hand last week against the Philadelphia Eagles. If he doesn't play well, this game will swing toward the Giants.

Ultimately, the Cowboys have too many weapons in comparison to the Giants. New York seemingly only has Victor Cruz in the passing game—or he is the only one willing to make plays.

This game has the markings of a competitive shootout, but the Giants will fade toward the end.